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No matter who wins the election to represent the 115th District in the state House of Representatives on Nov. 6, he or she will be only the third person holding the seat in 44 years.

If history is an indicator, the successor to retiring state Rep. Ed Staback, a Democrat from Archbald, may have an incumbent advantage for years to come. That's why both Democrat Frank Farina of Jessup and Republican Theresa Kane of Olyphant both see this election, free of an incumbent on the ballot, as a real opportunity.

While Ms. Kane ran for the seat two years ago, neither she nor Mr. Farina have held elected office. Ms. Kane had no primary opponent, while Mr. Farina shocked some in the area by defeating former Lackawanna County Commissioner Randy Castellani by just more than 100 votes.

In this election, voters will decide whether they want a landscaping business owner, Mr. Farina, or a Realtor, Ms. Kane, to leave his or her day job for the full-time responsibilities as a state legislator, a two-year position that pays $82,026 annually.

Mr. Staback held the position since 1985, following Joseph Wargo, a Democrat who served from 1969 to 1984.

When asked about a top priority, Mr. Farina said he wanted to help strengthen communities in the district.

"We need to work on changing a mindset," he said. "We strengthen together when we stop worrying about self gain as much as helping neighbors."

Ms. Kane said she couldn't limit her top priority to a single issue; however, she spoke at length about creating jobs, making Pennsylvania more business-friendly, lowering property taxes and supporting anti-abortion legislation.

"You'll have to work on some things simultaneously," she said.

The candidates seemed to disagree when it comes to taxes. Mr. Farina opposes cuts in state government, including social programs and especially school systems. When discussing education and social programs, Ms. Kane said she will look for more efficient ways for the state to operate that could save money, citing education in particular.

"I think we need to look at all of those areas and make sure people get what they need," she said. "But I think we can do it in a better way - we need to bring a lot of empowerment back to the local level."

As for improving the economy, both candidates acknowledged high unemployment rates in the region and the need for more jobs. Ms. Kane said she wanted to work to eliminate bureaucratic red tape to help make the state more business-friendly, and to leverage area colleges and trade schools to help bring more industries to the region.

"We need jobs that will bring a higher level of salary," she said.

Mr. Farina said he'll work to increase incentives for small businesses but said he's open to exploring other options to help improve the economy.

"I don't have all of the answers," said Mr. Farina. "But as a small businessman, I have ideas about what can help."

As natural gas drilling continues in the state, debate continues related to impact fees and associated environmental issues. While both candidates said drilling should happen in a way that's safe to the environment, they differed on levels of taxation on the gas companies.

Ms. Kane hesitates to tax gas companies higher than current rates.

"They're already taxed at normal business levels," she said.

Mr. Farina looks at gas drilling in the state as an area that should be taxed more and use the additional revenue for education and improving infrastructure.

"I think we sell ourselves short in the state," he said. "We have the resources here - you can't say they're going to drill somewhere else."

While state lawmakers have limited influence related to Pennsylvania participating in the federal Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare, Ms. Kane said she'd like to see it repealed, while Mr. Farina said he doesn't agree with everything in the law but believes it provides benefits to people who need access to health care.

As Pennsylvania's infrastructure needs increase with deteriorating roads and bridges, both candidates say the state has responsibility to improve them and maintain public safety. Mr. Farina sees increased taxes on gas drilling as a way to help fund infrastructure needs. He and Ms. Kane agree that improving infrastructure throughout the state can add jobs.

In the area of teacher and other public-funded pensions for government employees, Ms. Kane called the issue a "crisis" and said she would ask public employees to pay more of their own retirement and health care costs. From fiscal 2011-12 to 2015-16, pension contributions for area school districts are set to triple.

"To ask people to pay into their pension and health care isn't unreasonable," she said.

Mr. Farina, whose wife is a teacher at Valley View High School, said he will have to see more information on the issue before he has a position.

The 115th District covers parts of the city of Carbondale, the townships of Carbondale and Jefferson and the boroughs of Archbald, Blakely, Dickson City, Jermyn, Jessup, Mayfield and Olyphant and part of Wayne County, including Canaan, Dreher, Lake, Lehigh, Salem and Sterling townships and Waymart borough.

Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from Penn State

Occupation: Realtor

Top issue: Improving the state's business climate

Frank Farina

Party: Democrat

Age: 36

Residence: Jessup

Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Penn State

Occupation: Landscaper

Top issue: Strengthening communities

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